Refrigerator shelf

ABSTRACT

A shelf is defined by a tempered glass panel bonded to opposing flanges of a pair of metal shelf brackets carrying hooks for connection to and adjustment along vertical trackways in refrigerator compartments. Adhesive constitutes the sole means for maintaining the shelf substantially rigidly united. Each shelf bracket includes at least one abutment surface for engaging an edge of the shelf panel or a handgrip member carried thereby to assure perfect alignment between the components during curing of the adhesive. Each shelf bracket is defined by a shelf arm and a flange with the flanges having pockets housing the adhesive. The shelf arms may additionally include uppermost projections for engaging side edges of the shelf panel and/or at least one additional flange, such that side edge portions of the shelf panel can be housed between the pair of vertically spaced longitudinally offset flanges of each shelf bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to shelving for refrigerators and the like,though it is equally capable of being utilized as a bookshelf or a shelfassociated with most any type of furniture as a cantilevered shelfdefined by a pair of shelf brackets and a shelf panel supportedtherebetween.

Shelves specifically designed for refrigerators are well known, andtypical thereof is the cantilevered shelf of FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No.5,362,145 issued on Nov. 8, 1994 to Kevin C. Bird et al. Thecantilevered shelf is formed by a planar tempered glass shelf member orpanel and a pair of metal support brackets which are united to eachother by a molded polymeric/copolymeric synthetic resinous thermoplasticmaterial encapsulation or rim. The rim is molded around the entireperipheral edge of the glass shelf member or panel and forms a spill damfor containing product spills occurring when the shelf or shelf assemblyis in use in an associated refrigerator compartment. Such encapsulatedshelves have been exclusively manufactured and sold by the assignee ofthe present application and are generally utilized in high-end/expensiverefrigerators because of shelf rigidity, product drip/spillageprotection and the extremely attractive aesthetic appearance achievedthrough the injection molding or encapsulation of the shelf brackets tothe glass shelf panel.

FIG. 46 of the latter patent discloses another cantilevered shelfassembly in which a rim or encapsulation of polymeric/copolymericsynthetic plastic material totally encompasses an edge of a piece oftempered glass and is snap-attached by clips of the encapsulation or rimto front and rear frame members of a generally polygonal wire framewhich includes side frame brackets and associated hooks for securing theshelf assembly to conventional slotted vertical tracks of a refrigeratorcompartment. The aesthetics of the latter shelf assembly are inferior tothose of the shelf assembly first described herein, but the cost ofmanufacture and assembly can be less, particularly if assembled manuallyin countries outside the United States having lower wages, benefits,etc. However, the latter shelf assembly retains the liquid dam oranti-drip function which is a desirable feature, particularly forcantilevered shelves upon which might be supported products tending todrip or leak, particularly when the shelf is vertically adjusted.

In lieu of the metal shelf brackets or polygonal metal wire frame ofU.S. Pat. No. 5,362,145, U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,347 issued on Dec. 3, 2002in the name of Craig Bienick discloses a refrigerator shelf formed ofbut two pieces of material, namely, a glass shelf panel bounded by anintegral, injection-molded, one-piece frame/encapsulation/rim ofpolymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material which includes integralshelf brackets and suspension hooks defined by the encapsulation/rim.This shelf assembly includes all of the advantages of the shelf assemblyfirst described with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,145 and desirablyexcludes separate metal shelf brackets. However, the entire periphery ofthe encapsulation and particularly the side shelf arms must bereinforced to prevent adverse torquing characteristics which would occurif the polymeric/copolymeric shelf arms were made extremely thin.Therefore, though the shelf assembly of the latter patent excludesmanual assembly costs, the latter could be offset by the added cost ofthe polymeric/copolymeric material utilized in the injection molding ofthe rim/encapsulation to effect rigidity/reinforcement thereof.Obviously, such conventional material is derived from petroleum and bothavailability and price stability thereof have always been a problem,particularly when quoting manufacturing costs of shelves one or moreyears into the future, as is customary under long-term customer purchaseagreements.

A relatively simplistic refrigerator shelf is found in U.S. Pat. No.4,923,260 issued on May 8, 1990 to Douglas Poulsen. The refrigeratorshelf includes a pair of metal cantilevered shelf supports or bracketswhich are rigidly interconnected to each other by a rigid rear supportrod or cross member. The glass shelf is inserted into a rear shelfretainer which carries a downwardly opening U-shaped clip which engagesthe rear rod. A U-shaped front cross member is also rigidly securedbetween front or free ends of the cantilevered shelf supports. Thoughrelatively simplistic with respect to the various parts required to formthe shelf, the welding of the front and rear cross members to the shelfbrackets is expensive, as is the complex nature of the extruded rearclip.

The latter patents and those additionally specified in U.S. Pat. No.6,488,347 establish the state of the cantilevered shelf art over whichthe present disclosure is considered to be a novel and unobviousdeparture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In keeping with the foregoing, a novel shelf, particularly acantilevered shelf which is adapted to be hooked to and verticallyadjusted with respect to conventional slotted trackways in arefrigerator compartment, is manufactured from a pair of metal shelfbrackets, a shelf panel preferably made of tempered glass, and adhesivefor uniting the latter three shelf components in a substantially rigidmanner. Through the utilization of but two metal shelf brackets whichare appropriately blanked or severed from a planar piece of sheet metal,contoured/bent and, if desired, painted, bonding material is utilized torigidly adhere upper surfaces of opposing flanges of the shelf bracketsto an underside of the tempered glass panel. The flanges of each shelfbracket preferably include an upwardly opening reservoir or pocket inwhich the adhesive or bonding material can be located such that uponassembly of the glass panel side edges to the flanges, theadhesive/bonding material will not extrude laterally inwardly oroutwardly of the flanges whereby aesthetics is enhanced due to theabsence of visible extruded adhesive/bonding material inboard oroutboard of the flanges.

In further accordance with the present invention, each cantileveredshelf arm of each bracket includes at least one projection whichprojects upwardly beyond its associated flange such that the projectionsengage side edges of the tempered glass panel to rigidify the assemblyalong the shelf bracket length thereof thereby precluding undesiredtorquing of the rigidly adhesively united shelf.

In further accordance with the present invention, each of the shelf armsincludes at least a second flange spaced above the first flange andlongitudinally offset therefrom which collectively afford upper andlower support to side edge portions of the tempered glass panel housedtherebetween. The shelf of the present invention also includes means forlocating the tempered glass shelf panel relative to each of the shelfbrackets to assure perfect alignment of the components as the adhesivedries/bonds which thereby assures substantially perfect parallelismbetween the metal shelf arms or brackets which enhances theanti-torquing characteristics and rigidity of the shelf.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a novel cantilevered refrigeratorshelf constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates apair of metal shelf brackets spanned by a transparent tempered glassshelf panel which in turn carries a front grip member and a rear productretention member each formed of synthetic polymeric/copolymericsynthetic plastic material.

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the shelf of FIG. 1, andillustrates each shelf arm in the form of a relatively flat side shelfbracket having a hook and reinforcement at a rear end thereof, and aninwardly directed shelf panel support flange defining along its lengthan upwardly opening pocket.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the shelf of FIG. 1, andillustrates a front edge of the shelf bracket and the shelf panelsupport flange and a rear edge of the shelf panel support flangeabuttingly engaging the respective front grip and rear product retentionmembers to accurately locate the glass shelf or glass panel relative tothe shelf bracket incident to a bonding operation.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section view taken generallyalong line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and illustrates structural adhesive in thepocket of the flange for rigidly bonding an upper surface of the shelfpanel support flange to a lower surface of the tempered glass shelfpanel.

FIG. 5 is longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally along line5-5 of FIG. 1, and more clearly illustrates the manner in which frontand rear edges of the shelf bracket engage the respective front grip andrear product retention members to locate each of the shelf bracketsrelative to the tempered glass panel during curing of the adhesive.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of another novel cantileveredrefrigerator shelf constructed in accordance with this invention, andillustrates a pair of metal shelf brackets spanned by a transparenttempered glass shelf panel which in turn carries a front grip member anda rear product retention member each formed of syntheticpolymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the shelf of FIG. 6, andillustrates a front edge of the shelf bracket and the shelf panelsupport flange and a rear edge of the shelf panel support flangeabuttingly engaging the respective front grip and rear product retentionmembers to accurately locate the glass shelf or glass panel relative tothe shelf bracket incident to a bonding operation.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section view taken generallyalong line 8-8 of FIG. 7, and illustrates structural adhesive in apocket of the flange for rigidly bonding an upper surface of the shelfpanel support flange to a lower surface of the tempered glass shelf.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section view taken generallyalong line 9-9 of FIG. 7, and illustrates structural adhesive in thepocket for rigidly bonding the shelf panel support flange to a lowersurface of the tempered glass shelf and an uppermost projection of theshelf bracket for effecting edge abutting alignment of the glass panel.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally alongline 10-10 of FIG. 6, and more clearly illustrates the manner in whichfront and rear edges of the shelf bracket engage the respective frontgrip and rear product retention members to accurately locate each of theshelf brackets relative to the tempered glass panel during curing of theadhesive.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of another novel cantileveredrefrigerator shelf constructed in accordance with this invention, andillustrates a pair of metal shelf brackets spanned by a transparenttempered glass shelf panel which in turn carries a front grip memberformed of synthetic polymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material anda rear locating tab of the shelf brackets engaging a rear edge of theshelf panel.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the shelf of FIG. 11, andillustrates a front edge of the shelf bracket and the shelf panelsupport flange and a rear edge of the shelf panel support flangeabuttingly engaging the respective front grip member and shelf panelrear edge to locate the glass shelf or glass panel relative to the shelfbracket incident to a bonding operation.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section view taken generallyalong line 13-13 of FIG. 12, and illustrates structural adhesive in apocket of the shelf panel support flange for rigidly bonding the shelfpanel support flange to a lower surface of the tempered glass shelf andan uppermost overlying flange engaging an upper surface of the glassshelf.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section view taken generallyalong line 14-14 of FIG. 12, and illustrates structural adhesive in thepocket at a longitudinal portion of the shelf bracket which excludes theuppermost overlying flange.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally alongline 15-15 of FIG. 11, and more clearly illustrates the manner in whichfront and rear edges of the shelf bracket engage the respective frontgrip member and shelf panel rear edge to locate each of the shelfbrackets relative to the shelf panel during curing of adhesive andlongitudinally alternating relationship of the shelf panel support andoverlying flanges.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken generallyalong line 16-16 of FIG. 12, and illustrates the manner in which thelocating projection or tab formed from the shelf bracket material isaligned for abutment with the rear terminal edge of the tempered glassshelf or panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A novel cantilevered shelf or shelf assembly constructed in accordancewith this invention which is particularly adapted for utilization infresh food or frozen food compartments of a refrigerator in associationwith slotted vertical trackways thereof is illustrated in FIGS. 1through 5 of the drawings and is generally designated by the referencenumeral 10.

The shelf 10 is constructed from three primary components, namely, ashelf panel 11 and a pair of metal cantilever side shelf brackets 12, 13and secondary components in the form of a front grip or gripping member14 and a rear product retention member 15 carried by the shelf panel 11.

The shelf panel 11 is preferably constructed from a polygonal piece oftransparent tempered glass defined by side edge portions 16, 17 havingrespective side edges 18, 19 in substantially parallel relationship toeach other and front and rear edge portions 20, 21 having respectivefront and rear edges 22, 23 (FIGS. 3 and 5) also in substantiallyparallel relationship to each other. The shelf panel 11 also includes anupper substantially planar surface 24 and a lower substantially planarsurface 25. Each of edges 18, 19, 22, 23 is preferably ground and, ifdesired, either or both of the members 14, 15 can be eliminated.

The metal shelf brackets 12, 13 are substantially identical to eachother and are each cut or blanked from a sheet of planar metallicmaterial and formed to the configurations and cross-sections bestillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings. Each shelf bracket 12, 13includes a cantilevered relatively flat shelf arm 30, 31 having arespective rear end portion 32, 33 and a respective front end portion34, 35. The rear end portions 32, 33 of the respective shelf arms 30, 31carry respective reinforced hooks 36, 37 and projections 38, 39 whichare utilized in a conventional manner to secure the shelf 10 in slots ofvertical trackways of a refrigerator compartment (not shown) in aconventional manner, particularly as is illustrated in FIG. 1 of U.S.Pat. No. 5,362,145.

Each shelf bracket 12, 13 additionally includes a shelf panel supportflange 40, 41, respectively, which project laterally toward each other,as is most apparent from FIG. 2 of the drawings. Since the shelf panelsupport flanges 40, 41 are identical, the immediate description of theshelf panel support flange 40 is equally applicable to the shelf panelsupport flange 41. The shelf panel support flange 40 (FIG. 4) includesan inboard flange portion 42 most adjacent an upper longitudinal portion(unnumbered) of the shelf arm 30, an outboard flange portion 43terminating at a lateral terminal edge 44 and a medial flange portion 45between the flange portions 42, 43 of a generally upwardly openingU-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defining a reservoiror pocket 46 in which structural adhesive means A is introduced incidentto assembling and bonding together the shelf panel 11 and the shelfbrackets 12 and 13, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

A plane P1 (FIG. 4) is common to upper surfaces (unnumbered) of theinboard and outboard flange portions 42, 43, respectively, and is alsocommon to the lower surface 25 of the shelf panel 11.

Each of the shelf panels support flanges 40, 41 include means 50, 51(FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) defined by forwardmost and rearwardmost edges of therespective shelf panel support flanges 40, 41, for locating the shelfpanel 11 accurately relative to the shelf brackets 12, 13 until suchtime as the adhesive A has cured to assure parallelism between the shelfbrackets 12, 13, parallelism of the side edges 18, 19 of the shelf panel11 relative to the shelf brackets 12, 13, and substantial normalcybetween the shelf arms 30, 31 and the shelf panel 11.

The front grip member 14 and the product retention member 15 can eitherbe injection molded upon the respective front and rear edge portions 20,21 of the shelf panel 11 or can be manufactured and post-assembled bysliding the same upon the respective edge portions 20, 21 of the shelfpanel 11. Members 14, 15 have lower transverse edges 52, 53 (FIGS. 3 and5) which are spaced a distance D1 from each other. The distance D1corresponds to the substantially identical distance D1 (FIG. 2) betweenthe locating means 50, 51 of the shelf panel support flanges 12, 13.Therefore, as the shelf panel 11 is assembled relative to the shelfbrackets 12, 13, as is readily visualized in FIG. 2 by imagining thelatter components being moved toward one another to the position shownin FIG. 1, the transverse edges 52, 53 of the transverse members 14, 15,respectively, will abuttingly engage and thereby be located by thelocating means or edges 50, 51, respectively, of the respective shelfbrackets 12, 13. The adhesive A is preferably deposited in the pockets46 of each of the shelf panel support flanges 40, 41 before the lowersurface 25 of the glass shelf panel 11 is moved to the position shown inFIG. 4. The adhesive A can extend the entire length of each of thereservoirs or pockets 46 and slightly above the plane P1 (FIG. 1) beforeassembly. A bead of the adhesive A of a generally cylindricalcross-sectional configuration, as viewed in FIG. 4 though notillustrated therein, with an uppermost surface slightly above the planeP1 will be maintained in the latter configuration by surface tension.Thereafter, as the lower surface 25 of the glass shelf panel 11 movestoward the flange portions 42, 43 and in contact therewith the bead ofadhesive A will flatten and expand laterally in both lateral directions,but will not be extruded or squeezed laterally outwardly and inwardlybeyond either flange portions 42 or 43, respectively. The latter ishighly desirable to preclude the necessity of cleaning extruded adhesiveA from areas inboard of the shelf supporting flange edge 44 and/oroutboard of the juncture between the shelf edges 18, 19 and therespective bracket arms 30, 31. However, such extrusion will not occurin accordance with this invention by placing beads of adhesive A inspaced relationship to each other along each of the pockets orreservoirs 46 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Inthe latter case, should there be an excess of adhesive A in the pockets46 of the shelf panel support flanges 40, 41, the same will be pushed,extruded or squeezed lengthwise along the pockets 46 because of thelesser longitudinal resistance to flow as opposed to lateral resistanceto flow/friction offered by the U-shaped flange wall portion 45. Hence,the pockets 46 define means for preventing lateral extrusion or flow ineither direction of the adhesive A therefrom and promoting longitudinalextrusion or flow along the length of the pockets 46, thus assuring anaesthetically appearing shelf 10.

The adhesive A is preferably a structural adhesive/sealant, such asAM-47, which provides high strength and excellent adhesion while beingtough, elastic and waterproof, all characteristics being requisite forutilization of the shelf 10 in refrigerator compartments, particularlyin view of the moisture normally associated therewith, both by way ofnormal condensation and product spillage. The AM-47 adhesive can be usedabsent primers, is fast curing, is of extremely low shrinkage, ispaint/enamel compatible and, when cured, satisfies all U.S. FederalRegulations, such as OSHA Hazardous Communication Standards.

Another novel cantilevered shelf or shelf assembly constructed inaccordance with this invention which is also particularly adapted forutilization in fresh food or frozen food compartments of a refrigeratorin association with slotted vertical trackways thereof is illustrated inFIGS. 6 through 10 of the drawings and is generally designated by thereference numeral 100. Components of the shelf assembly 100 whichcorrespond to like components of the shelf assembly 10 have beenprefixed by “100” to identify identical structure without specificallydescribing the same. However, as in the case of the shelf or shelfassembly 10, the shelf 100 is constructed from three primary components,namely, a shelf panel 111 and a pair of metal cantilevered side shelfbrackets 112, 113 and secondary components in the form of a front gripor gripping member 114 and a rear product retention member 115 carriedby the shelf panel 11.

The most significant difference between the two shelves 10, 100 residesin the fact that while the shelf brackets 12, 13 each included a singlerelatively long shelf panel supporting flange 40, 41, respectively, thecorresponding shelf brackets 112, 113 of the shelf 100 each include apair of shelf panel supporting flanges 140, 140; 141, 141; respectively.The shelf panel supporting flanges 140, 141 are in opposite opposingrelationship to the shelf panel supporting flanges 141, 141, as is mostreadily visualized by comparing FIGS. 7 and 10 of the drawings. Uppersurfaces (unnumbered) of the shelf panel support flanges 140, 141 lie ina common plane corresponding to the plane P1 of FIG. 4 which lies in theplane of the lower surface 125 of the glass panel 111 (FIGS. 8 and 9).Each shelf panel support flange 140, 141 defines an upwardly openingreservoir or pocket 146 in which the structural adhesive A is introducedincident to an assembling and bonding operation corresponding to thatheretofore described with respect to the shelf 10. However, the shelf orshelf assembly 100 also includes means 147, 148 and 149 in the form ofupper edge portions or upper projections of the respective shelf arms30, 31 which end in an uppermost common longitudinal edge or edgeportion 160.

As is best illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings, a plane horizontallypassing through the upper surface 124 of the glass panel 11 also passesthrough the common edge 160 of the upwardly projecting portions 147,148, 149. The panel support flanges 140, 141 at the forward end portions134, 135 of the respective shelf brackets 112, 113 are located betweenthe upward projecting portions or upwardly projecting edges 147, 148,while the shelf panel support flanges 140, 141 at the rear end portions30, 33 of the respective shelf brackets 112, 113 are positioned betweenthe upwardly directed projections or projecting edge portions 147, 149.The projecting portions 147 through 149 define abutment means orlocating means for the shelf panel 111 incident to bonding the same tothe adhesive A upon the flanges 140, 140; 141, 141. The side edges 118,119 of the glass panel 111 are brought into contiguous or contactingrelationship with inner surfaces (unnumbered) of the flat shelf arms130, 131 of the respective shelf brackets 112, 113, in the manner bestillustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings. The latter contact assures thatthe side shelf brackets 112, 113 are in parallel relationship to eachother and are also normal to a horizontal plane through the glass panel111 until such time as the adhesive A sets or cures. Once the latteroccurs, an extremely rigid right-angle connection is effected along thelength of each shelf bracket 112, 113 and the side edge portions 116,117 of the shelf panel 111 to form an extremely rigid shelf 100 which isnot subject to distortion, cocking, torquing, etc., during verticaladjustment and/or when under product loading.

Another novel cantilevered shelf or shelf assembly constructed inaccordance with this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 16 ofthe drawings and is generally designated by the reference numeral 200.Components of the shelf assembly 200 which correspond to like componentsof the shelf assemblies or shelves 10 and 100 have been similarlydesignated to avoid duplication of description.

The shelf or shelf assembly 200 differs from the shelves 10, 100 inthree aspects, namely, (1) each metal shelf bracket 212, 213 includesonly a pair of upwardly projecting edge portions or projections 248, 249which results in three spaced shelf panel support flanges 239, 240 and241 along each shelf bracket 212, 213, (2) upper most edge portions 260of the upper edge projections 248, 249 are bent inwardly in alignedopposing relationship with each other (FIG. 11) in overlyingrelationship to the glass panel 211, and (3) each shelf bracket 212, 213includes locating means 251 in the form of a tab disposed at an angle ofapproximately 45 degrees (FIG. 17) to its associated shelf panel supportflange 240, 241 into alignment with and being abutted by the rear edge223 of the glass panel 211.

As is most readily apparent from FIG. 13 of the drawings, since theflanges 260, 239; 260, 240 and 260, 241 snugly receive therebetween theside edge portions 216, 217 of the glass panel 211, added rigidity isprovided the shelf 200 upon the setting/curing of the adhesive A. Thelatter is augmented by additional adhesive which can be located in thereservoirs of all three shelf panel support flanges 239, 240 and 241associated with each shelf bracket 212, 213, thereby providingadditional rigidity than that of the shelf 100 which includes only thetwo pair of relatively short shelf panel supporting flanges 140, 141(FIGS. 7 and 10). Finally, the locating flanges or tabs 250 assure thatthe glass shelf 211 cannot move leftward from the position shown inFIGS. 12 and 15 with respect to the shelf brackets 212, 213, therebyadditionally assuring that all components are assembled in the desiredparallel/normal relationships heretofore described.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specificallyillustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minorvariations may be made in the apparatus without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

1. A shelf comprising a pair of metal shelf brackets and a shelf panel, said shelf brackets each including a shelf arm and a shelf panel support flange, said shelf arms being disposed in substantially parallel spaced relationship to each other, said shelf panel support flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, means between an upper surface of each shelf panel support flange and a lower surface of said shelf panel for adhesively bonding the same to each other, and said adhesive bonding means being the sole means for maintaining said shelf substantially rigidly united.
 2. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein each shelf panel support flange includes means for forming at least one reservoir opening in a direction toward said shelf panel lower surface, and said adhesive bonding means being at least partially located in said reservoir means.
 3. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein each shelf arm includes at least one upper edge portion projecting upwardly beyond its shelf panel support flange, and each opposite side edge of said shelf panel is contiguous an adjacent shelf arm upper edge portion.
 4. The shelf as defined in claim 1 including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
 5. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein each shelf arm includes an upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf panel support flange being defined by a portion of its associated upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said at least one second flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said shelf panel, and said shelf panel includes side edge portions each disposed between one each of said shelf panel support and second flanges.
 6. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein each shelf arm includes an upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf panel support flange being defined by a portion of its associated upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said at least one second flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each disposed between one each of said shelf panel support and second flanges, and said shelf panel support and second flanges of each shelf bracket are longitudinally offset relative to each other.
 7. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein each shelf arm includes an upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf panel support flange being defined by a portion of its associated upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said at least one second flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each disposed between one each of said shelf panel support and second flanges, said shelf panel support and second flanges of each shelf bracket are longitudinally offset relative to each other, each shelf bracket includes at least one additional one of said shelf panel support flange and said second flange, and said one additional flanges of said shelf bracket lie in one of said common planes.
 8. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein each shelf arm includes an upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf panel support flange being defined by a portion of its associated upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said at least one second flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each disposed between one each of said shelf panel support and second flanges, said shelf panel support and second flanges of each shelf bracket are longitudinally offset relative to each other, each shelf bracket includes one additional one of said shelf panel support flanges, and said additional shelf panel support flanges lie in said first-mentioned common plane.
 9. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein each shelf arm includes an upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf panel support flange being defined by a portion of its associated upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said at least one second flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each disposed between one each of said shelf panel support and second flanges, said shelf panel support and second flanges of each shelf bracket are longitudinally offset relative to each other, each shelf bracket includes one additional one of said second flanges, and said additional second flanges lie in the common plane of said first-mentioned second flanges.
 10. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein each shelf arm includes an upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf panel support flange being defined by a portion of its associated upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said at least one second flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each disposed between one each of said shelf panel support and second flanges, said shelf panel support and second flanges of each shelf bracket are longitudinally offset relative to each other, each shelf bracket includes one additional one of said shelf panel support flanges, said additional shelf panel support flanges lie in said first-mentioned common plane, each shelf bracket further includes one additional one of said second flanges, and said additional second flanges lie in the common plane of said first-mentioned second flanges.
 11. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein said shelf panel is tempered glass.
 12. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein said shelf panel includes a front edge portion and a rear edge portion, and a polymeric/copolymeric front gripping member has a channel in which the front edge portion of said shelf panel is located.
 13. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein each shelf arm includes at least one upper edge portion projecting upwardly beyond its shelf panel support flange, each opposite side edge of said shelf panel is contiguous an adjacent shelf arm upper edge portion, and an upper terminal edge of each upper shelf panel support edge portion lies in a plane substantially common to a plane of an upper surface of said shelf panel.
 14. The shelf as defined in claim 2 wherein each shelf arm includes at least upper edge portion projecting upwardly beyond its shelf panel support flange, and each opposite side edge of said shelf panel is contiguous an adjacent shelf arm upper edge portion.
 15. The shelf as defined in claim 2 including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
 16. The shelf as defined in claim 2 wherein each shelf arm includes an upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf panel support flange being defined by a portion of its associated upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said at least one second flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said shelf panel, and said shelf panel includes side edge portions each disposed between one each of said shelf panel support and second flanges.
 17. The shelf as defined in claim 3 including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
 18. The shelf as defined in claim 3 wherein each shelf arm includes an upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf panel support flange being defined by a portion of its associated upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said at least one second flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said shelf panel, and said shelf panel includes side edge portions each disposed between one each of said shelf panel support and second flanges.
 19. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by abutment means of each shelf arm for abutting against said shelf panel.
 20. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by abutment means at a front end portion of each shelf arm for abutting against said shelf panel.
 21. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by abutment means at a rear end portion of each shelf arm for abutting against said shelf panel.
 22. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by abutment means at front and rear end portions of each shelf arm for abutting against said shelf panel.
 23. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by an edge of each of said shelf arms.
 24. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by an edge of each shelf arm located contiguous a front end of each shelf arm.
 25. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by an edge of each shelf arm located contiguous a rear end of each shelf arm.
 26. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means are defined by a pair of edges of each shelf arm located one each contiguous front and rear ends of each shelf arm.
 27. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is an abutment projection formed from the metal of each shelf bracket in abutment with at least one of a front end and rear end of said shelf panel.
 28. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is an abutment projection formed from the metal of each shelf bracket in abutment with a rear edge of said shelf panel.
 29. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is an abutment tab formed from the metal of each shelf bracket in abutment with at least one of a front end and rear end of said shelf panel.
 30. The shelf as defined in claim 4 wherein said shelf panel locating means is an abutment tab formed from the metal of each shelf bracket in abutment with a rear edge of said shelf panel.
 31. The shelf as defined in claim 5 including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
 32. The shelf as defined in claim 6 including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
 33. The shelf as defined in claim 7 including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
 34. The shelf as defined in claim 8 including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
 35. The shelf as defined in claim 9 including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
 36. The shelf as defined in claim 10 including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
 37. The shelf as defined in claim 31 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by abutment means of each shelf arm for abutting against said shelf panel.
 38. The shelf as defined in claim 31 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by an edge of each of said shelf arms.
 39. The shelf as defined in claim 31 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by an edge of each shelf arm located contiguous a front end of each shelf arm.
 40. The shelf as defined in claim 31 wherein said shelf panel locating means is defined by an edge of each shelf arm located contiguous a rear end of each shelf arm.
 41. The shelf as defined in claim 31 wherein said shelf panel locating means are defined by a pair of edges of each shelf arm located one each contiguous front and rear ends of each shelf arm.
 42. The shelf as defined in claim 31 wherein said shelf panel locating means is an abutment projection formed from the metal of each shelf bracket in abutment with at least one of a front end and rear end of said shelf panel.
 43. A shelf comprising a pair of metal shelf brackets and a shelf panel, said shelf brackets each including a shelf arm and a shelf panel support flange, said shelf arms being disposed in substantially parallel spaced relationship to each other, said shelf panel support flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, means between an upper surface of each shelf panel support flange and a lower surface of said shelf panel for adhesively bonding the same to each other, each shelf arm including an upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf panel support flange being defined by a portion of its associated upper longitudinally extending edge portion, each shelf bracket including at least one second flange, said at least one second flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of said shelf panel, and said shelf panel includes side edge portions each disposed between one each of said shelf panel support and second flanges.
 44. The shelf as defined in claim 43 wherein said shelf panel support and second flanges of each shelf are longitudinally offset relative to each other.
 45. A shelf comprising a pair of metal shelf brackets and a shelf panel, said shelf brackets each including a shelf arm and a shelf panel support flange, said shelf arms being disposed in substantially parallel spaced relationship to each other, said shelf panel support flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, means between an upper surface of each shelf panel support flange and a lower surface of said shelf panel for adhesively bonding the same to each other, each shelf arm includes at least upper edge portion projecting upwardly beyond its shelf panel support flange, and each opposite side edge of said shelf panel is contiguous an adjacent shelf arm upper edge portion.
 46. A shelf comprising a pair of metal shelf brackets and a tempered glass shelf panel, said shelf panel having at least one pair of substantially parallel opposite ground edges, said shelf brackets each including a shelf arm and a shelf panel support flange, said shelf arms being disposed in substantially parallel spaced relationship to each other, said shelf panel support flanges being disposed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, means between an upper surface of each shelf panel support flange and a lower surface of said shelf panel for adhesively bonding the same to each other, and said adhesive bonding means being the sole means for maintaining said shelf substantially rigidly united.
 47. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein said ground edges are side edges of said shelf panel.
 48. The shelf as defined in claim 1 wherein said ground edges are side edges of said shelf panel, and a front grip member carried by a front edge portion of said shelf panel. 